Help! I Accidentally Took Two Doses Of Vyvanse

The pharmacist discusses the dangers of taking too much Vyvanse and what to do in a potential overdose situation.

Question

I accidentally took two 70 mg Vyvanse instead of the one I was prescribed. I took my med and then forgot I took it so I took it again. I'm very very nervous that something might happen.

Asked by TJT On Jul 14, 2022

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published Jul 14, 2022
Last updated Mar 28, 2024

Key points

  • When in doubt that you or someone you know might have taken too much medication, supplement, or household supply, call the Poison control center at 1-800-222-1222
  • In the case of an accidental overdose, it’s generally recommended that you don’t try to make yourself throw up. You may want to keep activated charcoal at home, but only use it if advised to use it.

Thanks for reaching out. Happy to help here.

Accidentally taking additional medication is always scary, but only sometimes a problem.

Call Poison Control

Nevertheless, whenever there’s an overdose, accidental or otherwise, our first call is always to the Poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. They have a team of experts available at all times to address any sort of medication overdose, what to do if a child gets into any sort of cleaning supplies, or just about anything around the house. This is a free service as well, so if you are unable to pay, there’s no need to worry. Just call them as soon as possible.

In general, it’s not recommended to make yourself try to throw up. Likewise, you may have heard of a drug called ipecac or syrup of ipecac. It used to be an over-the-counter drug that was recommended to keep on hand to induce vomiting. Several studies suggested that in most cases, it was not very effective so it was withdrawn from the market over a decade ago. It has widely been replaced with activated charcoal.

Activated charcoal binds to many medications, making them less active, and is available over the counter. However, it comes with its own risks. It’s not a bad idea to have a bottle on hand, but you shouldn’t use it before talking to someone at the poison control center or another healthcare provider.

Now, more specifically about your question.

Taking Too Much Vyvanse

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a prodrug. It’s actually not active until you ingest it. It’s slowly converted to an active drug called dextroamphetamine which is slowly metabolized throughout the day. Vyvanse is going to give a different response to every person. There are many variables that are difficult to account for.

Your age, your weight, your tolerance (how long you have been on the medication, and how much it takes to have the desired effect) all play an important part.

Someone who has never taken a dose would probably have a worse reaction than a person who has been on a stable dose for years. Higher doses were tested in clinical trials. Much higher doses have been accidentally taken with safe outcomes but increased the risk of side effects.

Like all amphetamines, Vyvanse is a stimulant. Toxicity can result in a fever (body temperature greater than 100), rapid heart rate (greater than 100 beats per minute), increased blood pressure (greater than 140/90), racing thoughts, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.

Vyvanse is slowly metabolized throughout the day, so it’s likely that you experienced a difficult time falling asleep that night. If you experience fever, a rapid heart rate, greatly increased blood pressure, or overwhelming anxiety, I would err on the side of caution and seek medical attention at the nearest emergency room anytime an overdose of an amphetamine, like Vyvanse, is suspected.

References

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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